All About Malcolm XAll About Malcolm X

The Early YearsThe Early Years Malcolm was a Malcolm was a

smart, focused smart, focused student and student and graduated from graduated from junior high at the junior high at the top of his class.top of his class.

Dropped out of Dropped out of school and moved school and moved to Boston, where to Boston, where he worked various he worked various odd jobs.odd jobs.

Born on May 19, 1925 Born on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska.in Omaha, Nebraska.

His mother was Louis His mother was Louis Norton Little, who was Norton Little, who was a homemaker occupied a homemaker occupied with the familywith the family’’s eight s eight children.children.

His father, Earl Little, His father, Earl Little, was an outspoken was an outspoken Baptist minister and Baptist minister and supporter of Black supporter of Black Nationalist leader Nationalist leader Marcus GarveyMarcus Garvey

"Our objective is complete freedom, justice and equality by any means necessary."

Nation of IslamNation of IslamMalcolm utilized Malcolm utilized newspaper columns, newspaper columns, radio and television to radio and television to communicate the Nation communicate the Nation of Islamof Islam’’s message across s message across the United States.the United States.

Credited for increasing Credited for increasing membership in the Nation membership in the Nation of Islam from 500 in 1952 of Islam from 500 in 1952 to 30,000 in 1963.to 30,000 in 1963.

Media magnet- featured Media magnet- featured in a week-long television in a week-long television specialspecial

FBI agents started FBI agents started monitoring the groupmonitoring the group’’s s activities.activities.

In 1963, MalcolmIn 1963, Malcolm’’s s faith in the Nation of faith in the Nation of Islam decreased due Islam decreased due to the deception of to the deception of Muhammad, whom he Muhammad, whom he considered a prophet.considered a prophet.

Now felt it was a Now felt it was a fraudulent fraudulent organizationorganization

"Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today."

More info..More info..Malcolm later studied Malcolm later studied the teachings of Islam the teachings of Islam leader Elijah leader Elijah Muhammad. Muhammad.

In 1952, Malcolm was a In 1952, Malcolm was a devoted follower with devoted follower with the new surname the new surname ““XX ””

Malcolm was appointed Malcolm was appointed a minister and national a minister and national spokesman for the spokesman for the Nation of IslamNation of Islam

Cassius Clay conversion Cassius Clay conversion

Fidel Castro meeting in Fidel Castro meeting in NYNY

« Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it. »

Malcolm X, Malcolm X Speaks, 1965

TerminationTerminationIn March 1964, he In March 1964, he terminated his terminated his relationship with relationship with the Nation of Islam the Nation of Islam and founded the and founded the Muslim Mosque, Inc.Muslim Mosque, Inc.

Pilgrimage to Pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi ArabiaMecca, Saudi Arabia

Life alteringLife alteringNew outlook on New outlook on integrationintegration

Coming to an End..Coming to an End..

Malcolm had been marked for assassinationMalcolm had been marked for assassination

After repeated attempts of his life, Malcolm rarely After repeated attempts of his life, Malcolm rarely traveled without bodyguard.traveled without bodyguard.

On February 21, 1965 three gunmen rushed On February 21, 1965 three gunmen rushed Malcolm onstage and shot him 15 times at close Malcolm onstage and shot him 15 times at close range.range.

« You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom. »

Malcolm X, Malcolm X Speaks, 1965

LegacyLegacyMalcolm X moved Malcolm X moved through generations as through generations as the subject of many the subject of many documentaries.documentaries.

Malcolm X movieMalcolm X movieBookBook

Detractors accused him of Detractors accused him of preaching racism, black preaching racism, black supremacy, antisemitism, supremacy, antisemitism, and violence. He has been and violence. He has been called one of the greatest called one of the greatest and most influential and most influential African Americans in African Americans in history.history.

SourcesSources

““Biography of Malcolm XBiography of Malcolm X”” http://www.africawithin.com/malcolmx/malcolm_bihttp://www.africawithin.com/malcolmx/malcolm_bio.htmo.htm

““Official Web Site of Malcolm XOfficial Web Site of Malcolm X”” http://www.cmgworldwide.com/historic/malcolm/hohttp://www.cmgworldwide.com/historic/malcolm/home.phpme.php

« Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery. »

Malcolm X, Malcolm X Speaks, 1965